Dinoland USA
[Disney Vacation Planner]
At A Glance |
Dinosaur themed area of Animal
Kingdom, sponsored by McDonalds. |
DinoLand U.S.A.: Bolstered by the partnership
between Disney and McDonalds, Mickey D's is sponsoring this whole
area. The section of the park features everything you could ever
want to know about nature's extinct reptiles.
DinoLand designed to be an interactive adventure
area where guests play with and learn about creatures that haven't
been around for millions of years. Overhead, as you enter the
land, a 50-foot tall metal Brachiosaurus welcomes you to the land.
Attractions: DinoLand houses some of the most
truly interactive exhibits in the "Kingdom." The Boneyard, an
interactive playplace where kids can dig for fossils, excavate
for extinct species or just play in the sand. The Boneyard features
two sides (one with slides and climbs, the other an excavation
site) connected by a rope bridge.
Countdown to Extinction is a heart-stopping thrill
ride of the first order. Viewers go on an interactive journey
through the history of the great beasts. Guests travel back to
the late Cretaceous period - right as dinosaurs are about to be
exterminated by a world-wide meteor shower - as part of a new
time-travel experiment. As with any experiment, things go a tad
awry, with dinos roaring and meteorites falling around every turn.
You might even bring back a dino or two with you.
DinoLand also features the "Journey into the Jungle
Book" adventure show that lets park guests get an up-close, live-action
view of Mowgli, Baloo, Shere Khan and rest of the gang from Disney's
beloved story. The show is presented in "The Theater of the Wild"
on the southeastern most corner of the park. It features an abbreviated
version of the animated classic, mixing live players and music
with puppetry arts, a la the "Lion King" show at the Magic Kingdom.
And don't be surprised archaeologists and paleontologists
walking around the land try to get you into the action. The Streetsmophere
people who thrill the crowds at Disney-MGM have created a special
"Dinomosphere" interactive theater experience for the streets
of DinoLand.
Dining and Shopping: Since Mickey D's is sponsoring
DinoLand, the area's restaurants features, guess what, Big Macs
and fries. McDonald's flagship restaurant in DinoLand is called
Restaurantasurus. It features a daily character breakfast from
7-10:30 a.m. called "Donald's Breakfastasaurus." The regular lineup
of Quarter Pounders, Happy Meals and Chicken McNuggets are also
to be had at Restaurantasaurus.
DinoLand will also be home to the famous fry kiosks
from where guests can get McDonald's famous fries on demand, as
they can with "The Jungle Book" Theater Snacks stand. Dino Diner
features smoked turkey legs and drinks, a la Tomorrowland's "Lunching
Pad" in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom.
For the dinosaur lover in your group, Chester
and Hester's Dinosaur's Treasures has pre-historic goodies to
suit any taste - from the educational to the just plain fun.
Analysis: DinoLand U.S.A. truly has something
for every age bracket. Kids will litterally "dig" the hands-on
approach Disney gives to the dinosaur experience; and parents
will like the fact that kids are learning while having fun. Older
kids and adults will appreciate the and love the thrill ride.
The Boneyard is a great place to take kids and
let them go crazy. Parents are also invited to get into the act,
but should be advised that the rides are designed for smaller
ones. Watch your heads on the slides!
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